GRAPHIC
DESIGN
Lesson
Objectives
Define visual communication
Identify the elements of design
Determine the origin of design
Distinguish between the different design careers
Outline basic tips for effective design
Bonus: Introduction to Adobe Illustrator
Equipment needed
for this course
Laptop or desktop computer
CPU: Intel Core i5 or i7
Display: 15 inches @ 1440 x 900
pixels (minimum)
RAM: 8 GB min (16 GB is better)
Storage: at least 250GB
Adobe Software
GRAPHIC DESIGN
What is graphic design?
DEFINE VISUAL
COMMUNICATION
Graphic design is
A form of visual communication
Illustrations
Typography (text)
Photographs
0
DID YOU KNOW?
The graphic design industry unveils
numerous opportunities for self-
employment?
You can make an income from the
comfort of your home or anywhere
you prefer!
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Helps to solve a problem
Communicates effectively
Good design is transparent
THE ROLE OF DESIGN
It’s more than simply being artistic
Communicates a message effectively
It is universal and can be understood by most
IDENTIFY THE
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Space Line Shape
01
Size Texture Value Colour
Graphic design is a form of visual communication
consisting of illustrations, typography and
photography.
Graphic design is a form of visual communication
Graphic design is aconsisting
form of visual
of communication
consisting of illustrations, typography and
Illustrations
photography.
Typography
Photography
Space
Graphic design is a form of visual communication
Graphic design is aconsisting
form of visual
of communication
consisting of illustrations, typography and
Illustrations
photography.
Typography
Photography
Line
GRAPHIC DESIGN
is a form of visual communication
consisting of
Illustrations
Typography
Photography Size
GRAPHIC DESIGN
is a form of visual communication
consisting of
Illustrations
Typography
Photography Colour
GRAPHIC DESIGN
is a form of visual communication consisting of
Illustrations Typography Photography
Graphic design is a form of visual communication
consisting of illustrations, typography and photography.
VS
GRAPHIC DESIGN
is a form of visual communication consisting of
Illustrations Typography Photography
Visuals
• Illustrations
• Text
Elements
• Space
• Line
• Shape
• Size
• Texture
• Colour
Visuals
• Photography
• Illustrations
• Text
Elements
• Space
• Line
• Shape
• Size
• Texture
• Value
• Colour
Visuals
• Text
• Illustrations
Elements
• Space
• Line Google “elgoog”
• Shape
• Colour
Visuals
• Photography
• Illustrations
• Text
Elements
• Space
• Line
• Shape
• Size
• Texture
• Value
• Colour
Why is graphic
design a great
career path?
Flexibility Be your own boss
Financial benefit Job satisfaction
DETERMINE THE ORIGIN
OF DESIGN
Why is history
important?
Helps you make connections
Creates awareness & understanding
Gain insight into other cultures
DID YOU KNOW?
The printing press was invented in
1450 by Johannes Gutenberg
This invention allowed for society to
become literate
It removed the gap between upper
and lower class by creating a
middle class
A Brief History of Graphic Design
PREHISTORY ANCIENT MIDDLE AGES MODERN ERA CONTEMPORARY
15 000 BC 3000 BC 1450 1919 1987
Cave painting Invention of writing Printing press Bauhaus modern design Adobe Creative Suite
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What do you need in
order to become a
graphic designer?
Adobe Illustrator
Vector-based Vectors don’t lose quality
Digital illustrations Small file size
Adobe Photoshop
Photo manipulation Raster-based image editor
Consisting of pixels (tiny single coloured squares)
Adobe InDesign
Combines Illustrator &
Layout editor Photoshop designs
Creates user-friendly interactive
documents & PDFs
GRAPHIC DESIGN CAREERS
GRAPHIC Advertising Environmental Publication
designer designer designer
DESIGN Motion
designer
Corporate
designer
Web
designer
CAREERS Packaging Product
designer designer
Advertising
designer
Magazines & newspapers
Brochures
Email newsletters
Social media graphics
Infographics
Environmental
designer
Exhibition & event spaces
Mural artwork
Signage
Office branding
Stadium & concert branding
Publication
designer
Books
E publications
Magazines & newspapers
Catalogues
Menus
Motion
designer
TV adverts
Movie intros
Text animation
Video games
Animated digital menus
Corporate
designer
Logo design
Business card design
Letterhead design
Email signature design
Other stationery
Web
designer
HTML
CSS
Website & layout
Mobile apps
Packaging
designer
Canned food
Wrappers & labels
Take away containers
Most grocery items
Box design
Product
designer
UX/UI
User experience
User interface design
Mobile apps
Mobile games
GRAPHIC DESIGN TIPS
Don’t use too
many typefaces
▪ Use only two typefaces
▪ One interesting, related
typeface for headings
▪ The second typeface should
be transparent
Don’t be
scared of white
space
Don’t fill empty spaces
Make empty spaces part of your design
Avoid warped
images
▪ Don’t warp or distort your
images
▪ Use SHIFT or CONTROL
(COMMAND for Mac) to avoid
distortion
Avoid
pixellation
Low quality image
Use an alternative high quality
image instead
Use free stock image websites like
Pixabay or Freepik
Contrast is key
▪ Create contrast through size
▪ Create contrast through colour
▪ Or both
HELLO ILLUSTRATOR!
Challenge
▪ Take a photo of your surroundings
▪ Identify all and any forms of graphic design
▪ Indicate the amount of graphic design
forms you were able to identify
▪ Share to social media using
#identifygraphicdesign
